page_title: Semi-periphery countries
section_title: 13th century
hierarchical_section_title: Semi-periphery countries / History and development / 13th century
caption_attribution_description: Personally drew in routes myself using MS Paint and references: http://www.silkroadproject.org/silkroad/map.html and http://www.mynetcologne.de/~nc-jostenge/banas.htm. This image does not include silk routes to Karakorum. Free On-line Map: http://www.freeworldmaps.net ... ancient Silk Road routes
context_page_description: In world-systems theory, the semi-periphery countries are the industrializing, mostly capitalist countries which are positioned between the periphery and core countries. Semi-periphery countries have organizational characteristics of both core countries and periphery countries and are often geographically located between core and peripheral regions as well as between two or more competing core regions. Semi-periphery regions play a major role in mediating economic, political, and social activities that link core and peripheral areas.
  These regions allow for the possibility of innovative technology, reforms in social and organizational structure, and dominance over peripheral nations. These changes can lead to a semi-periphery country being promoted to a core nation. Semi-periphery is, however, more than a description, as it also serves as a position within the world hierarchy in which social and economic change can be interpreted.
  World-systems theory describes the semi-periphery as a key structural element in the world economy.
context_section_description: This era of human history found the semi-periphery concentrated in the area stretching from the Middle East to China, including India and the Mongol Empire. This was the first time in history that the peripheries and semi-peripheries of the world became connected and involved in the trade of the world, both with cores and with each other. Through a lucrative trade system, including heavy taxing of goods traveling through their borders, they were able to maintain a steady stream of wealth, becoming the driving forces of economic change throughout this time period.  In addition, a heavy emphasis on defense and border security, particularly among the Mongols, allowed them to be fairly impenetrable trade obstacles. Geography also played a role, as seen in India's development of an impressive maritime industry.  Because of its position along a convenient route through the Indian Ocean, India established its role as a "hinge" between the East and West. Through their positions within the world trade system, semi-peripheries in the Middle East became crucially important in connecting the cities of Chinese and Indian cores with the fledgling cities of Europe, as well as serving as key points between other, more major core cities in the region, such as Baghdad, Cairo, and Aden.
caption: Ancient silk road trade routes across Eurasia
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